Declaration of Independence Desk

From Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia

The story of the writing-box or desk[1] on which Thomas Jefferson wrote his famous Declaration is an interesting one. This box was crafted in Philadelphia in 1776 by the celebrated cabinetmaker Benjamin Randolph, one of Philadelphia's foremost carvers and cabinetmakers. There is an interesting relationship between this desk and one made at Monticello nearly half a century later by John Hemmings.

Hemmings, Monticello's resident craftsman,
had made a small, probably portable, desk
with appropriate carving and inlay as a family
wedding gift for Ellen Wayles Randolph, Jefferson's
third grandchild, and Joseph Coolidge,
Jr. of Boston. The marriage vows were said in
the parlor at Monticello on 27 May 1825,
after which the newlyweds set out on an extended
overland trip of over 1,000 miles to Boston.
The bulk of their baggage, which consisted
chiefly of "the documents" of Ellen's
childhood, "letters, correspondencies, notes,
books, &c. &c." was dispatched by Jefferson's friend, the Richmond factor, Colonel [[Bernard
Peyton]]. Unfortunately the shipment was lost
when the vessel carrying it went down in a
violent Atlantic storm.

This intelligence reached Monticello through
John Hemmings, who had, quite by chance, overheard
two of Colonel Peyton's agents reading
aloud his letter informing them of the loss. Jefferson informed Ellen that Johnny Hemmings
was "au desespoir" while relating the melancholy
news. Jefferson then consulted with him
about his making another desk. Hemmings refused; his eyesight
had failed so badly that he could no
longer execute detailed work. Another solution
had to be found.

It then occurred to Jefferson that he could
provide a worthy substitute, but not one "claiming
the same value from its decorations." Randolph's desk had come to mind while Jefferson
was replying to a query on ways to celebrate
the Fourth of July.

Jefferson modestly wrote of the writing-box
as "claiming no merit or particular beauty." It
reflected his penchant for simple lines and
sparse ornamentation, the only decorative element
being a band of light stringing around the
small drawer, and an inlaid keyhole escutcheon.
The decoration was a first in its own right,
for it anticipated the use of inlay as a major decorative element in the design of American
furniture. A relatively small object, it was
14 3/8 inches long, 9 3/4 inches wide, and 3 1/2
inches high. The side drawer had neat compartments
for paper, ink, and writing instruments.

Oddly enough there are no references in Jefferson's Memorandum Books which indicate a
payment for such an item. That of 2 September
1776 comes closest: "pd. B. Randolph's workmen
for 3. boxes 9/." The chances are that
these were mere containers for transporting to
Monticello Jefferson's innumerable Philadelphia purchases.

While at Monticello, the writing-box appears
to have occupied no special place and if pointed
out as an American relic none of the fifty or
more visitors' accounts in our files says so.

Jefferson put the writing-box in the hands of Colonel Peyton for shipment to Mr. Coolidge sometime early in 1826. His covering letter
predicted that "its imaginary value will increase
with the years" and should its recipient
live another half century "he may see it carried
in the procession of our nation's birthday, as the relics of the saints are in those of the church."

Mr. Coolidge replied that the "desk arrived
safely, furnished with a precious document which adds very greatly to its value; for the
same hand which half a century ago, traced
upon it the words which have gone abroad upon
the earth, now attests its authenticity and consigns it to myself."

Mr. Coolidge did indeed live for a half century,
dying 15 December 1879, but never saw
the writing-box carried in any procession. Indeed
it remained in his Boston house except for
being exhibited at a meeting of the Massachusetts
Historical Society in 1857 and at Boston's
own Centennial celebration in 1876. His
children, Dr. Algernon Coolidge, Thomas Jefferson
Coolidge, and Mrs. Ellen Coolidge
Dwight realized the importance of their desk
and summarily presented it to the United States
government.

It was received by the House of Representatives
at what the Boston Daily Advertiser reported
as "an interesting ceremony" on 28
April 1880. It then went to the State Department
where it was exhibited for a number of
years with the original document of the Declaration
of Independence. In 1921 the writing box
was turned over to the Library of Congress
and a few months later it was in the National
Museum of American History, where it may be seen today.[2]

Jefferson's note to Joseph Coolidge remains attached
to the desk:

"Th: Jefferson gives this Writing desk to
Joseph Coolidge junr. as a Memorial of affection.
It was made from a drawing of his own
by Ben. Randall, cabinet maker of Philadelphia,
with whom he first lodged on his arrival
in that city in May 1776 and is the identical
one on which he wrote the Declaration of Independence.
Politics, as well as Religion has it's
superstitions. These, gaining strength with
time, may, one day, give imaginary value to
this relic, for it's association with the birth of
the Great charter of our independence. Monticello.
Nov. 18. 1825."